BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The remains of a suspected high-ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leader and a companion killed last week in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental have been claimed by their respective families.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Van Donald Almonte, commander of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB), the body of Ericson Acosta was claimed by his son on Dec. 2 while the remains of the other suspected rebel, Joseph Jimenez, were claimed by his wife.
Prior to claiming his father, Acosta’s son sent a letter to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Central Office asking for the whereabouts of his father.
Acosta’s son had not specifically asked the CHR to investigate his father’s demise, although the CHR regional office said they already opened an investigation.
There were allegations that Acosta and Jimenez were captured alive but executed by the Philippine Army. The Army denied this and insisted that the two men died in an encounter.
Acosta was the second suspected high-ranking rebel to be killed in Negros Occidental this year; The first was Romeo Nanta a.k.a. “Ka Juanito Magbanua” in Himamaylan City in October./PN
